The mountain-bike stage race will be the only one of its kind in the U.S. and will offer an estimated $20,000 in prize money, making it one of the most profitable in the country for racers as well.
Tom Spiegel and Jeff Frost, who run the National Mountain Bike Series (NMBS), are planning a multistage event at Brian Head from Aug. 21-24.
The race will cover roughly 165 miles and will make extensive use of the area's estimated 100 miles of single track. The first day will start with a six-mile prologue on Brian Head's town loop. The second and third days will be 50-mile stages, while the fourth will feature two loops on a 27-mile course.
"This is something we wanted to do to have open to pros, but also make it doable for people who just like to ride and want to try something different," Spiegel said.
Spiegel is a veteran of Costa Rica's La Ruta de los Conquistadores, which many consider the toughest mountain bike race in the world, and knows the growing appeal of this style of racing.
"This is something we don't have anywhere in the country," Spiegel said. "People are always looking for the next big thing to challenge them and we've all done the 25-mile, fast-twitch kind of races and now the adventure, epic-style races are catching on."
Spiegel hopes to eventually make a series of similar epic races.
He decided to host this first event in Brian Head because of the long riding options the area offers, and the rural feel of the tiny town.
"It's kind of like taking mountain biking back to the boonies, but it's still a very accessible area," he said.
Brian Head is a veteran host site for mountain-bike races. In 2005 and 2006, the venue hosted an NMBS race and the popular Epic 100 race.
The area has what is considered some of the most challenging terrain in the country for races because of its altitude. The base of the resort sits at 9,500 feet and the town bills itself as "America's Highest Little Resort Town."
Spiegel believes the race will be a big draw for racers and amateurs alike because of the quality riding and prize money offered. Word of the event has definitely captured racers' attention, including that of Heber City resident Kathy Sherwin, who rides for women's racing team Velo-Bella Kona.
"What a great place to do it, with some of the best and most spectacular riding and scenery out there," she said. "It will be an epic event for sure."
The race could also land on the calendar for Giant rider Kelli Emmett, who plans to add more endurance races this year.
"Generally, the longer the race the better off I am, so it fits my style of riding," she said. "That area is amazing. There is so much stuff there, it's great."
lwodraska@sltrib.com
